Separable fastener



March 3, 1936. iw. SCHAPE'R 2,032,858

SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed Jan. 13, 1930 :s Asheets-sheet 1 March 3, 1936.w. scHAPx-:R 2,032,858

SEPARABLE 'FASTENER Filed Jan.1s,v195o s sheets-sheet 2 'la 4v/Ml A )IlYM March 3, 1936. w. scHAPl-:R 2,032,858

gEARABLE FASTENER Fil'ed Jan. is, 1930 a sneetsneet :sA

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Patented Mar. 3, 1936 PATENT lofi-FICE SEPARABLE EASTENERI WolfgangSchaper, Berlin, Germany Application January 13, 1930, serial No'.420,477

In Germany January l5, 1929 14 Claims.

This invention relates to separable fasteners and has particularreference to that type of fastener in which two oppositely locatedseries of locking elements are interlocked and unlocked by a slidersliding on both series, the locking being eifected by movement in onedirection and unlocking by movement in the opposite direction.

VIn this type of fastening device each series of locking elements isfixed to the edge of a piece of fabric or the like, whereby the twoedges of fabric are securely connected to each other, when the twoseries of locking elements are in interlocking position.

The applicability of the separable fasteners in its hitherto known formsis limited, because the interlocking elements remain visible.

The invention is particularly concerned with a fastener of the typementioned in which the locking elements are covered by a fabric or othermaterial, whereby the applicability of the separable fasteners isgreatly increased.

The objects cf the present invention 'are to apply covering material tocorresponding faces of the locking elements; to securely fix the covervment covered with two layers of covering maing material to theinterlocking elements; to shape the interlocking elements so that thecovering layer canbe securely attached to these elements; to provide aslider which will only glide along uncovered parts of the lockingelements;

to provide a fastener in which the covering ma-` changes in the detailsof construction'l may be made within the scope of the claims withoutdeparting from the principle thereof.

In the drawings Fig. 1 isa plan view of an interlocking member orelement.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of an interlocking eleterial. Fig. 3 is a viewsimilar to that of Fig. 2 of an interlocking element in which the guidefor the sliding cam is more strongly developed.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a hitherto known form of interlockinglelement. M

Fig. 5 is an elevation of two-opposite-interlocking members in lockedposition;

Fig. 6 is a section through the opened fastener with the sliding cam orslider in cross-section, taken on line 6--6'of Fig. 13, i

Figs. '7 to 14 depict details of the sliding cam; Fig. 7 being a sideview of the wedge-shaped middle part of the sliding cam; Fig. 8 being aperspective view and Fig. 9 a top view of that middle part. Fig. 10 is aside View and Fig. 11 a top view of the shields which form part of theslider, Fig. 12 is a side View, Fig. 13 a top view and Fig. 14 aperspective view of the complete slider.

Fig. 15 is a top view4 showing a series of interlocking members of apreferred specific form, l0 each member having an enlarged outersurface, the lowest of said members being removed in order to moreclearly show the shape of a single l member or element.

Fig'. 16 diagrammaticallyv shows the material l5 which is used forcovering the outside of the metal elements and schematically illustratesthe different modes of weaving which should be used for different partsof the covering material.

Fig. 17 illustrates in connection with Fig. 16. how the different partsof the covering may be combined with an interlocking member.

Referring first to Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6 each individual locking element30, which usually consists of metal, has an elongated projection I,about which the covering material 2 is placed. This projection l isspaced from the body of element 30, and it projects towards the dividingline 3 of the fastener, as clearly shown in' Fig. 5. Each' coveringstrip 2 can be xed to each Set or series 30 of locking elements byclamping its margin 33 between the body of each element and itsprojection I.` In order to securely fasten each strip -2 a spike or pini8 can be provided on the projection l, pointing sideways and upwards asdia- 35 grammatically shown' in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. In the fastenershown in the drawings the upper part of this ,pin I8 protrudes throughstrip 2. In that case means must be providedfor making this part of thelocking element invisible, too. This can 40 be done by providing asecond covering strip Il above the first covering strip 2 andattaching'this second layer in any suitable way to the first layer; orthe top part of pin I8 may be made inconspicuv ous in other ways, forinstance, by applyinga .45 suitable coating or coloring which matcheswith the adjacent fabric or other material. It is apparent from Fig. 5that the covering strips 2 and Il may completely cover allthose parts ofthe interlocking elements at one face of the fastening device, as longas the fastener is closed. 'I'he covering material may extend to themiddle line 3 of the fastener, if it is desired to have the coveringstrips of the left and of the right part meet and lie closely adjacenteach other. y

v Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 and to Fig. 15, eachelement 30 is provided with a recess 6 and' with a locking projection 1,so thatthe projectipn 1 of one element can interlock with the recess 6of the corresponding opposite 60 element. I prefer to provide saidrecesses 6 and projections 'I with elongated shapes, as shown in Figs. land 2. If thus shaped, the elements jections and recesses have been inuse for some time, the angles will get worn or rounded off, whereby theprojections may be turned within their recesses. In order to illustratethis point more clearly, Fig. 4 shows the ordinary element used infasteners of this type. The ordinary ele- -ment has a recess 8 ofsubstantially square shape,

instead of having its length greater than its width.

'I'he closing and opening of the fastener is -effected, as alreadymentioned, in the generally known way by means of a sliding cam orslider.

However, sliders of the already known type can not be used with theimproved fastener to which the present invention relates, in theembodiment in which the covering strips contact with each other, becausethese sliders usually glide along surfaces of the locking elements whichaccording to the present invention may be covered with fabric or othercovering material. The friction exerted by the slider wouldwithin shorttime spoil the cover-ing and in fact this'dilculty hasup to now formed abar against the manufacturing of completely covered separable fastenersof the present type.

'I'he new slider developed for the covered fastener is best shown inFig. 14. Figs. 7 to 13.are more or less diagrammatic views, partly ofthe whole. slider, partly of different parts of the slider, Figs. 7 a'nd8 showing the central piece without and Fig. 9 with the pulling memberfitted thereto, Figs. 10 and 1l showing the two shields of the sliderand Figs. 12 and 13 showing the central piece connected to the twoshields.

' As shown in Figs. 7 to 10,`the improved slider comprises awedge-shaped central piece which includes the wedge II, and asurrounding part I6, which is substantially U-shaped. This central piececan be manufactured as one integral piece by bending a piece of metalinto the shape shown in the drawings as will'be described in detaillater on, or the parts IB and-I1 can be manufactured as separate partsand then connected together as by soldering or welding. Member I 6 isprovided with a flange 4I forv a purpose which will be explained later.y y

Referring now to Figs. l0 and 11, two shields I4 and I5 are provided.T'he shields can be molded or otherwise manufactured as one integralpiece or they may be secured together, such as by welding or soldering..Each of the shields I4 and I5 is provided with an elongated slot throughwhich the flange 4I of member I6 extends, as best shown in Flg.6. Theupper or outer shield I5 has a triangular shape, VAwhile the lower orinner shield I4 vconsists of a rectangular left part, and

of a tapered right part, whereby the periphery of shield I4v forms anangle at 36, as shown in Fig. 11. The rim, 35 of the lower shield I4 isbent` upwardly and the edges of said rim engage the recesses which areprovided on the elements 30.-

As shown Iin Figs. 2, 5 and 6, .flat or shallow recesses 9 may beprovided. As shown in Fig. 3, deeper recesses I0 may be provided.

The different parts of the slider can be con- I necte'd inany suitablemanner` as by welding, soldering or forming the parts from an integralcasting or stamping. For instance, the flange 4I of member IG can be fltted into the slot thereof,

provided on shields I4 and I5, whereafter the wedge I'I can be placed inthe position shown in the drawings and then fixed as' by soldering orwelding. 'Or' parts I6 and I1 maybe first rigidly connected, whereaftershield I4 is shifted with v its slot 42 over the upper part of flange4I, and shield I4 is shifted with its slot 42 over the lower part offlange 4I. With this latter manner of mounting the slider, the shieldsI4 and I5 must be connected to each other after each of `th'em has beenseparately mounted on the flange 4 I The wedge-shaped central portion asshown in Figures 9 and 13 comprises two plate members arranged back toback and secured together in g a conventional manner, each of said platemembers having a wedge Il. struck out therefrom,

thereby leaving a surrounding part I6.

The outer shield I5 is relatively short. Its pointed end 3.1 should notproject up to a line joining points-36 which define the angles of themargin of member I4. Likewise the shield I5 should project over thewedge I1 only to an extent which corresponds to the width of the un--covered portions of the fasteners.

By vthus shaping and` dimensioning the upper shield injury to thecoverings 2 and II of the locking elements 30- is prevented, because theshield I5 contacts with the locking members only after u.,

they have been transferred into partly unlocked position. Y

As shown in Fig. 6,- .the lower or. inner shield I4 embraces the innersurfaces of the interlocking elements, and the shield I5 which islocated at the upper or outer faces of said interlocking elements,slides only on the uncovered parts. 38 of said interlocking elements.The pointed end 31 of the shield I5 only engages those interlockingmembers which have already been at least partlally disengaged, so thatthe covering strips 2 are separated along the line 3. Hence, the shieldI5 can be introduced between the covering strips,

without contacting with them, and the upper shield remains at all timesout of contact with the covering means which avoids any injury of saidcovering means.

VFor the same reason, means are provided for preventing the pullingmember I3 from contacting with the covered parts of the locking elementsand from thereby 'injuring the cover. For this purpose the pullingmember I3 is held b'y shoulders I2 against tilting, when the slider ismoved in a direction for opening the fastener. The opening movement isthus effected by pushing the slider by means of member I3, while theclosing movement is effected, as usual, by pulling the slider by meansof the same member I 3.

Referring once more to Figs.I 2, 3, 5 and 6, in

order to thoroughly conceal the interlocking elements, each strip II can.have its inner edge rmly connected to the under-strip 2, and this canbe done by-means of adhesive, sewing, or the like.' The layer ofmaterial I I may be a part of the article with which the fastener iscombined.

Referring to Fig. 15, the interlocking members 30 may be provided withprojections, the upper and front portions 3l of 4which are larger thanthe rear portions. In other words, in this embodiment, the projections Iare provided with enlarged upper portions 3|, these portions of theprojections being also larger than the lower parts of the interlockingelements, which interengage when the fastener is closed. By thusenlarging the upper or front portions of the projections, adjacentmembers 30 will touch each other so as to provide a well-definedstraight edge.

As shown in Fig. l5, the edges 39 thus form an unbroken continuous line,so that when the elements are interlocked in normal position, thecovering strips 2 which are connected to the parts 3|, meet (if desired)along straight lines.

The edge 39 should be twice as 'long as the edge 40.

Figs. 16 and 17 show in diagrammatic form certain details of thecovering means. When the elements are interiocked or separated, they aremoved towards or away from each other. Hence, it is necessary that thecorresponding parts of the covering should be made with a certain degreeof elasticity in vertical direction, as viewed in Fig. 16. The mentioneddisplacement towards and away from'each other occurs only at the partsof the interlocking members which lie near the middle line 3. Elasticityis therefore necessary only in that part of thecovering which islocatedladjacent line 3, also. Hence, it may be desirable to have thecovering means comprise two parts of different properties. For example,the marginal part 20 of the covering is resilient in the longitudinaldirection, and the part IQ of the covering can be made of non-resilientor non-stretchable material in order to make the fastener sufficientlytight. The marginal part 26 may be, for instance, ,made of materialwhich is diagonally woven.

Fig. 17 shows the relationship of the two parts of the covering stripwith reference to a single interlocking member 30. It is to beunderstood that the marginal edge vof thepart 20 is to be clamped in therecess 32.

I have shown preferred embodiments of 4the invention, but it is clearthat numerous changes and omissions could be made without departing fromits spirit.

, For convenience, the faces of the interlocking elements to which thefabric is applied, may be designated as corresponding faces. These arethe upper faces shown in Fig. 6. Likewise, and in order to distinguishfrom overlapping .cloth covering members, the clothmembers 2 and ii maybe designated as facing each other". It will be noted that the edges ofthe cloth strips (either 2 or H) are held immovable relative to thefastening device, at those parts of said cloth strips which are adjacentthe free edges of the interlocking members.

Likewise, and assuming that the parts are held in the position showninvFig. 6, the fabric strips may be considered as being connected to theupper corresponding faces of the fastening de vices, although theinvention is not restricted to covering said upper faces. Likewise, theportion 33 of each strip 2 may be considered as underlying the strip 2,and the recess Ibetween the body of each interlocking element and itsmember l may be designated as the underlying portion of the fasteningdevice.

It will be noted that the fabric strips 2 constitute the stringers ofthe fastener. When the fastener is closed; portions of these stringersor strips 2 form a butt-joint, as clearly shown in the drawings. Thelocking elements are arranged parallel to each other as shown forexample in fastening device.

Fig. 6. so that they interlock along their relatively narrow faces, thusproviding a flat closure or Likewise, the covering strips ll also haveportions which meetto form a narrow and iiat butt-joint when thefastener is closed.

It will also be noted that when the locking members are interlocked,their relatively narrow Afaces are forced towards each other so that therelatively narrow faces ofthe stringers 2 and the relatively narrowfaces of the covering strips Il are-alsoforced towards or against eachother. 'I'his produces a flat thin closure, in which the interlockingelements are completely concealed.

In other Words, it will be noted that the two series of locking membersintert with each other in such a manner that when they are in theirinterlocked or closed position the two series lie in one plane, asdistinguished from fasteners where the two series of locking members arepositioned one above the other, when the fastener is closed. In thatlatter case the fasteners form a thick roll or padding, which looksrather unattractive. It is an important advantage of the presentinvention that, though the locking members are completely concealed, theclosure is yet thin and flat.

I claim: 1. A fastening device of the type described with two series ofinterlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same planewhen the fas- I tening device is clos-ed, said elements havingprojections which are separated 'from the bodies of said elements byrecesses, and covering strips for said elements, the ends of said stripsbeingl located in and being secured in said recesses so that theadjacent portions o-f said strips are inturned, the adjacent portions ofsaid strips meeting edge to edge to form a butt-joint, when thefastening device is closed.

2. A fastening device of the type described with two series ofinterlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same planewhen the fastening device is closed, said elements having projectionswhich are separated from the bodies of said elements by recesses, andcovering strips for said elements, the ends of said strips being locatedin and being secured in said recesses so that the adjacent portions ofsaid strips are inturned, the adjacent portions of said strips meetingedge to edge to form a butt-joint, when the fastening device is closed,said projections having points which enter said covering strips.

3. .A fastening device of the type described with two series ofinterlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same planewhen the fastening device is closed, said elements having projectionswhich are separated from the bodies of said elements by recesses, andcovering strips for said elements, the ends of said strips being locatedin and being secured in said recesses so that the adjacent portions ofsaid strips are inturned, the adjacent portions of said strips meetingedge to edge to form a butt-joint, when the fastening device is closed,said projections hav-v ing points which enter said covering strips, saidstrips having additional outer strips connected there-to and havingtheir edges meeting to form a butt-joint, said additional stripscovering said Points.

4. A fastening device of the type described Yhaving twol series ofinterlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same planewhen the fastening device is closed, said elements being. provided withcovering strips having adjacent portions which meet edge to edge, whenthe fastening device is closed and aslidable cam adapted to interlockand to separate said interlocking members, said cam being shaped toavoid contact with 'said covering strips, when it is operated toseparate said fastening members, and attaching means on the interlockingelements for flxedlyattaching the edges of the adjacent portions of thecovering strips thereto.

5. A fasteningdevice of the type described having-two series ofinterlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same'planewhen the jacent portions meeting fastening device is closed, 'andprovided with cover strips having adjacent portions, Said adedgeto edgeto form a butt-joint, when the fastening device is closed,

. the adjacent portions of said cover strips having longitudinalelasticity, the adjoining portions of 'said cover strips beingrelatively non-elastic in the longitudinal direction,' the adjacentportions ofsaid cover strips being connected to said elements. I

6. A fastening device of the type described with two series ofinterlocking elements, said two se- Iries lying in one and the sameplane when the fasteningv device is closed, said elements havingAprojections which are separated from the bodies of 'said elements byrecesses, and covering-strips for said elements, the ends of said stripsbeing located in and beingecured in said recesses so that the adjacentportions of said .strips are inturned, the adjacent p ortions of saidstrips meeting edge to edge to form a butt-joint, when the fasteningdevice is closed, said projections having the covering strips.

points which enter and project through said covering strips, theprojecting ends of said points being coated with a material whichmatches with 7. For a fastening device of the type described,

a slider comprising a lower shield', a wedgeshaped v central part and anupper shield, the lower shield consisting of one part with paralleledges and of a second generally conical shaped part with Iinclinededges; the said upper shield being triangularshaped and the pointed endof said upper said covering strip, and a cam slide adapted to interlocksaid elements and to separate them, said cam slide comprising a lowershield, a wedgeshaped central part and an upper shield, said uppershield being generally triangular-shaped, and having a rirnl projectingover said central part, the width of the rim of saidupper shieldprojecting overthe -wedge-shaped central part being not greater than theportion of the ou'ter surface of each element which is free from saidcovering strip.

9. A fastening device of the type described havingtwo series-ofinterlocking elements, said elements 'having projections which areseparated from the bodies of said elements by recesses,

fastening stringers secured in said recesses, the

i shield, said upper shield being. shorter than said o upper and frontparts of said projections being larger than the rear parts of saidprojections and also larger than the lower parts of said whereby saidupper and front parts of Y adjacent interlocking elements of the same.series borderon each other in the normal position of the fasteningdevice. f

10. A fastening device of the type described having two series ofinterlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same planewhen the fastening device is closed,fthe interlocking elements havingcovering strips, said covering strips having edge portions which meetedge to edge to y form a butt-joint when the fastening device is closed,and attaching means on the interlocking elements for ij'ixedly attachingthe edges of the adjacent portions of the covering strips thereto.

1l. A fastening device ofv the type described 1;,

having two series of interlocking elements, said two series lying in oneand the same plane vwhen the fastening deviceis closed, each series ofinterlocking elements being connected to a Stringer, the interlockingelements having covering strips, said covering strips having edgeportions which meet' edge to edge to form a butt-joint, when thefastening device is closed, and attaching means on theinterlockingelements for flxedly attaching the edges of the adjacentportions of the covering strips thereto.

12. A fastening device of the type described with two series ofinterlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same planewhen the fastening device' is closed, covering strips connected to saidelements and covering substantial surface portions of said elements, the

' adjacent edges of said covering strips being spaced from the adjacentedges of said elements, so that other portionsfof they outer surface ofsaid elements are uncovered, and attaching means on the interlockingelements for xedly attaching the edges of the adjacent portions o f thecovering strips thereto. 13. A fastening device of the type described 4Qwith two series of interlocking elements, said two series lying in'oneand the vsame pla-ne when the fastening'device is closed, coveringstrips connected to said elements and covering substantial surfaceportions of said elements, the adjacent edges of said covering stripsbeing spaced from the adjacent edges of said elements, so that otherportions of the outer surface of said elements are uncovered, saidcovering strips being flxedly attached to underlying portions of thefastening 5o device along the line where the said uncovered and ycoveredportions meet, said strips having additional outer strips' connectedthereto.

14. Afastening device of the type described with two series of.interlocking elements, said two series lying in one and the same planewhen the fastening device is closed, covering strips connected to saidelements and covering substantial surface portions of said elements, theadjacent edges of said. covering strips being spaced .from the adjacentedges of said elements, so that other portions of the outer surface ofsaid-'elements are uncovered, said covering strips being flxedlyattached to underlying portions of the fastening device along the linewhere the said uncovered and covered portions meet, and a cam slideadapted to interlock said elements and to separate them, said cam slidecomprising a lower shield, a wedge-shaped central part and an upperlower shield.

. y WOLFGANG SCHAPER.

